Telangana High Court Takes Firm Stand Against Illegal Adoptions, Upholds CARA Protocols
In a significant ruling that reinforces the sanctity of legal adoption procedures, the Telangana High Court has unequivocally rejected attempts to bypass established adoption protocols. The court emphasized that emotional bonds formed between parents and children adopted through illegal means cannot justify what it termed 'backdoor adoptions'. This landmark decision sends a clear message about the importance of adhering to official guidelines to protect vulnerable children.
Court Warns Against Dangerous Precedent of Illegal Adoptions
A bench presided over by Justice T Madhavi Devi issued a stern warning that legitimizing such practices would effectively open the floodgates to illegal adoptions across India. The court expressed grave concern that this could potentially encourage and facilitate child trafficking networks operating throughout the country. These observations came during the hearing of a petition filed by a couple from Suryapet district who had deliberately circumvented the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) guidelines governing lawful adoption processes.
The couple had procured a girl child through an individual allegedly involved in child trafficking cases, completely without the knowledge or consent of the child's biological parents. While acknowledging that the petitioners had provided 'good care' to the child, Justice Devi's bench firmly stated that procedural shortcuts in adoption matters represent a recipe for disaster that cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
The Couple's Claims and the Court's Response
According to the petitioners, they had adopted the child in May 2023 through traditional ceremonies including 'datta homam', followed by a cradle ceremony and a grand celebration of the child's first birthday. They argued that the child, who was physically weak at the time of adoption, had since become healthy and an integral part of their family due to the extensive care and affection they had provided.
However, in June 2025, police authorities took custody of the child after determining she had been trafficked specifically for illegal adoption purposes. The child has since remained under government care while the legal proceedings unfolded.
The couple contended that separating the child from their care had caused her severe mental agony and depression due to the absence of parental affection. They sought custody from the authorities and had separately applied to CARA, requesting that their adoption plea be considered out of turn and that the child be legally handed over to them through proper procedures.
When no decision was forthcoming from CARA, the couple approached the High Court seeking relief. In dismissing their petition, the court reiterated that all adoptions must strictly adhere to CARA guidelines to properly safeguard abandoned and orphaned children. The bench held that developing an emotional bond with a child, while understandable, does not entitle any couple to bypass the official waitlist or seek special consideration for out-of-turn adoption.
Dangerous Precedent and Supreme Court References
Referring to established Supreme Court rulings on similar matters, the bench observed that granting such relief would set a dangerous precedent that could undermine public administration systems and seriously compromise child safety nationwide. The court directed the petitioners to wait for their legitimate turn in the official CARA registry, emphasizing that it was unwilling to turn a blind eye to what it described as 'a clear case of child trafficking' disguised as adoption.
This ruling reinforces the judicial system's commitment to protecting children's rights and maintaining the integrity of legal adoption processes in India. By upholding CARA guidelines without exception, the Telangana High Court has strengthened the framework designed to prevent exploitation and ensure that every adoption occurs through transparent, lawful channels that prioritize children's welfare above all other considerations.
